Setback for Women and Child Welfare Officer Shakuntala

MANGALORE : The Second Additional JMFC Court of Mangalore has dismissed a petition filed by Deputy Director of Department of Women and Child Welfare Shakuntala against advocate BM Bhat on the grounds of lack of evidences.

This has been a great setback to the officer and the ruling is also vital with regard to the controversy over supplying food items that have crossed expiry date to Anganavadis.

It may be recalled here that the issue had created uproar in the district in the year 2009 and was a subject matter of much debate. The DYFI had taken the lead in exposing the scam and had traced expired food items in various Anganavadi centres. The officials had also raided the godown at Urva market. The issue had even been raised in the assembly. The allegation that was heard than was that such a thing could take place as the Deputy Director Shakuntala had colluded with a Tamil Nadu based company called Krishti.

The DYFI had organized protests in Mangalore too against the departmental officials. It was on this occasion that Shakuntala who had crossed 50 years of age, had moved the court against BM Bhat of DYFI alleging that he had threatened her life and had invited her for immoral acts(?)

The court has now dismissed this case on the grounds that the replies given by Shakuntala patronized witness during cross examination, did not tally each other.

Though it is still a surprise as to why the CM had failed to act despite complaints against the officer, one reason cited is that she belonged to the CM’s community. In the meantime, Anganavadi workers have launched post card campaign against the officer alleging that she had offended them.